Betting on sport is big business.

Sport England approximates the value of spending on sport-related gaming in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.

Which figure is most likely to have grown further, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.

Meanwhile, German research company Sport & Markt estimates the overall global gaming market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports gaming.

But when the integrity of events are struck the betting market suffers, and earnings are put under threat if clients can not bet with self-confidence.

And there can have been few higher-profile sport wagering stories than those affecting cricket and snooker this year.

High-profile

As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone speak about the sports gambling market now.

"Not only is it a significant market in world organization, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."

Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by cops over spot-fixing allegations relating to a test versus England at Lord's last month.

Three of these gamers have stated they will likewise challenge the corruption charges mounted against the trio by the sport governing body the International Cricket Council.

Meanwhile, three-times snooker world champion John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing allegations, but was prohibited recently for six months for failing to report the prohibited method to him to toss frames.

There are likewise 2 other continuing investigations - unrelated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.

'Honest'

David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, among the UK's most significant online sporting exchanges.

"If the sport is perceived as sincere, straight and fair that is great for wagering firms since individuals will invest money wagering with self-confidence," he states.

"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unrelated to the UK controlled wagering industry ... it is not actually a favorable story for betting in the UK.

"That is since the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we may need to be mindful about'."

'Education'

So what can be done to prevent future scandals?

According to specialists at a World Sports Law Report conference into sports gambling, the focus has to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation points out: "The only individuals who can fix a match are the competitors or the referee."

His organisation represents males and females in 15 sports in the UK, being an umbrella organisation for all gamer organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.

He thinks that it is not adequate to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the way to tackle potential concerns around gamers is also through education.

Mr Taylor says guidelines need to be discussed plainly to players with clear examples, and by individuals they appreciate.

"Through educating players about sports wagering you strengthen stability which remains in everybody's interest," he adds.

"If players are harder to corrupt then sport will be more difficult to corrupt."

'Brand damage'

Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal guidance at the Football Association, agrees.

"Prevention is better than remedy, and we also make a point of informing players 'you are going to be captured'."

"It is essential that sport is directly, and is seen to be straight," he adds.

"If it loses that then people don't wish to wager, that is not in gambling firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."

He said that as soon as a good track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".

FA guidelines suggest players are not allowed to bank on a competition in which they are involved.

Mr Johnson says gamers need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside knowledge, which he states could trigger "brand name damage" to football and its competitors.

So, even a 2nd Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the autumn can not wager on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.

"We need to get over to gamers the reputational threat to the video game," he states. "Once confidence has actually been damaged it is difficult to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

If this represents the "carrot" method, then perhaps Nick Tofiluk, director of policy at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".

The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate business gaming in Great Britain.

An ex-chief constable of West Midlands cops, Mr Tofiluk has duty for policing all wagering in the UK apart from spread wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.

"The frustrating bulk of sports wagering taking location through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he states.

"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly hinder the outcome of a sporting event.

"Such cheating has the possible to undermine the integrity of a sport, and it likewise damages the industrial interests of sports bodies and sports betting."

The commission has established an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and disseminate information to sporting authorities, wagering companies and policing authorities.

"Since 2007 we have experienced a considerable insight into world of corrupt sports betting wagering," he says.

"We will alert sports betting of our concerns, to help prevent or curtail [unlawful] activity"

In May 2010, the commission also introduced a personal telephone hotline for those with details or suspicions.

'Vulnerabilities'

But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has actually been simply one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old male who was warned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight continuous examinations, which much useful details has likewise been passed to sports authorities.

He stated that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost efficient, then the commission would consider ceasing a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports governing bodies take the lead".

Meanwhile, he states a number of those seeking to cheat the sports betting industry were educated about sports and sporting individuals, and about betting operations and the motion of money.

"They look for the vulnerabilities of these to help in their business."